My great grandmother

and I met for the first time today. Papa brought her to see me.

Mommy found a new place for me

since I'm not at all fond of the bouncy or swing. This keeps me quiet when she needs her hands free!

My first trip to church

was tonight and I was like a rock star. All of these strangers were looking at me and I lost count of how many times I heard, "look at all that hair." After church we had to run a couple errands and eat dinner. I was a good girl. It won't always be this way so Mommy and Daddy and Lukie better take advantage of all the time that I sleep in my car seat. This morning I didn't want Mommy to put me down and she really needed to do a few things so she laid me down in my bathtub.... yep my bathtub and I was perfectly happy there whether I was looking around or sleeping.

A busy Friday

Today Mommy decided it was time that I go on an outing. Daddy drove us all to Little Rock for some errands. Mom had to trade in her breast pump, go to Babies R Us and to Wild Oats Market. Oh, we also had lunch at Chilis. I was a really good girl and both Mommy and Daddy said that I was good on our outing. I'm still a challenge at night. Last night Daddy gave me bottles so Mommy could get several hours of uninterrupted sleep. I think that is why she is in a good mood. I just like to see everyone at night! This evening they decided to go to Target again and out for dinner. Once again, I was a good girl and now I'm tired. Everyone is hoping that I sleep good tonight. Tune in to find out!

A morning out

with my family. This morning we had to go for a weight check and to Target. Apparently, Target is somewhere that Mommy and Luke like to go to. Oh, then we went to Burger King for lunch. That was because my big brother loves it there (Mommy and Daddy don't like it as much as him). Mommy likes to let him pick some fun things since I'm getting a lot of attention these days. He helped with my bath tonight and he loves holding me too.

The first few days at home

have been rough at times. Mom and I are getting better at this nursing thing but she doesn't seem to be making enough milk for me. We started using some formula while still in the hospital since my weight had dropped to 5lbs 15 oz. However, I don't like Similac so Mommy decided to try Nestle. Please pray that it will work. We are LOVING having Noni stay with us this week. Mom needs to get her strength back and that brother of mine is quite demanding. Daddy is working this week but will be at home with us next week. Here are a few pictures of me.

Taking me home

My Daddy and my big brother are on their way to take me and Mom home. She is beyond excited. Noni spent the night with us last night and helped Mom get dressed. Dr. H came by this morning when Mom was nursing me. Noni stepped out of the room so we could have a private moment with him. He is a very special man in my life and Mom's. Many prayers went up for him while I lived in Mom's tummy and it was nice when he held me this morning. Mom was a big girl and didn't cry even when he said that he could easily cry at the awe of a miracle- that was ME! Thank you God and thank you Dr. Harrison for all the love you've shown me and Mommy the last 9 months.

I can't wait to meet my 4-legged brother (Rudy) that Luke has been telling me all about. Let's get this show on the road.

I'm 1 Day Old

It has been a wild ride everyone oohing and awwing over my hair. Mom and I are trying to get this nursing thing down but it is hard work. I love my new family!

Aniston's Birth Story

We arrived at the hospital right before 10:00AM on Friday, July 11, 2008 to meet you. Daddy dropped us off and I was a pile of nerves walking through the doors. Of course, your big brother said the funniest thing. He said, "Mom I am so thankful to be here at this beautiful hospital why don't we take a picture while we wait on Daddy."

We got admitted and prep quickly began. Luke was enjoying watching SpongeBob with Daddy while I got blood drawn and an IV started. I looked at the clock and it was 10:41AM. My nurse, Karen, was great and we'd already met previously in L&D. She came in and said Dr.H called and it would be closer to 12:30 before we began. More nerves from me!

Papa, Noni, and BepBep came in about 11:00 and brought cool toys for Luke to play with. I enjoyed watching him play and I was a little sad thinking how I would miss him seeing you for the first time. Daddy had another camera lesson and he passed- I was entrusting the memories of your birth with him. Aunt Sandy came also and I loved everyone being in my room making me laugh and taking my mind off of what was to come.

The next part was the epidural getting started. Dr. Dalby was a nice funny guy and I was ok with him doing this but the past has a way of repeating itself and this was no different. It didn't go well. It hurt and took several tries to get a good line. In no time, I felt terribly nauseated and like I was going to faint. Medicine was quickly administered and I was glad Daddy was by my side. I was scared and it hadn't even started. I remember thinking if Dr. H would just get there it would be okay. He showed up with his nurse Jane and after a little joking around and a quick prayer we were headed to the OR. Daddy looked great in his scrubs. I was a little upset because I didn't get to say bye to Luke. They said he could come back in but with me getting so sick there was no time. I held Daddy's hand and said one last silent prayer for us.

In the OR, it was chaos. People moving about, Mommy naked on a hard table. Mommy got really sick and Dr.H ran in there and told me they were giving me some medicine to get my blood pressure up. I've never felt worse in my life and it seemed like an eternity before Daddy got to come in. Once Daddy got there, things moved quickly. I remember the pain and I remember squeezing Daddy's hand as hard as I could. The next words I remember were, "I'm gonna have to pull this kid out by the head on her hair." That was a joyous moment- you had hair and I was thrilled. Everyone was saying you were beautiful. Dr. H showed you to me and I was in love. Daddy and I discussed how big you were but the nurse said you were around 6 lbs, much smaller than we'd thought. It was as if time stopped while Daddy brought you over to meet me. Before I knew it Daddy was carrying you out of the OR and my hysterectomy was beginning. As we were leaving the OR Dr. H said you were 6lbs 10 0z and 18.5 inches long and he proclaimed you "a keeper".

After recovery, I was moved to our room and you were brought in. I was able to see your Big Brother hold you for the first time. I was overcome with gratitude for this day and for my children. I told Luke this was the happiest day of my life and it was. He agreed. I look forward to writing about life through your eyes. I am so grateful that you are now with us and no longer just a distant dream.

Aniston

I can't believe that I am about to meet you. In just a couple of hours we will leave for the hospital and will become a family of 4. I lie awake with wonder of what your little face will look like and how your big brother will react to you. You, are a dream come true for me. I pray that things will go smoothly and I just know they will, because, God has brought us safely through each storm. These nine months have been very long and tiring on me because of the worry. However, I know that when you are in my arms for the first time all of the fear will be erased- it will all be worth it. I will miss you moving around inside of me and I will miss being pregnant- but I look forward to holding you in my arms. See you very soon!

Another NST

today and another visit with Dr.H. We are getting geared up for your delivery very soon. I am not saying the date because I'm not going to jinx it! You had the hiccups during the test today. You are looking great and so am I. Can't wait to meet you!

Baby Aniston

you are keeping me up alot at night. Especially tonight since I've been having lots of contractions. I have prayed really hard that you don't come out since Dr.H is off till Monday morning. I've had several hours (in the middle of the night) while Daddy and your big brother sleep to think of all kinds of things. Sometimes, I can't hardly wait any longer to see your face and others I KNOW that you are easier to take care of right now than you will be when you get out. I feel so very blessed to have carried you to term and also that you are a girl. I feel like the luckiest Mommy in the whole world to have the most precious son and now to be having a sweet little girl. So many people are anxiously waiting to meet you.

I am a little scared to have the C-section and the hysterectomy but we are both in very very good hands. I hate that I won't be the first person to hold you but I am certain that your big brother will be holding you right after Daddy. I sit here and thank God all of my blessings and I pray that these contractions will stop- I don't want you out today. You will change our lives for the better. You've been a good girl and I'm glad that much of this pregnancy has been enjoyable. I could definitely do this again and I'm sad that this is a part of my life that ends when you are born. But, you complete our family. I pray that everything goes well and you are strong and healthy and I'm up on my feet very soon. I pray for Dr. Harrison and all the people looking out for us. I also pray for the couple of SUPER DUPER friends that have gotten me through the last year- the saddest days and the happiest days. I pray for Noni and Papa who've taken care of us when Daddy had to work and I pray for you and Luke!

What I'll miss about you living in my belly:
Your big brother, Luke, kissing you all the time and hugging you
Daddy rubbing my belly when he gets home from work and saying, "hey Aniston"
Feeling you move and not having to share you with anyone.

So, as our days come to a close just me and you- I want you to know these 9 months have been some of the happiest times of my life. I've also spent many hours in tears or close to it out of worry for you- praying that everything goes ok. You have given me a renewed faith in God and at times when things seemed bleak or scary I realized that while I wanted to be mad that things weren't going smoothly- I learned to trust in God and share all my thoughts with Him. I trust that you will be delivered safely and you and I will both end this pregnancy very blessed and healthy.

I think the contractions are stopping - time to try and rest.

Sent home again.....

lots of you thought I'd come on July 4th and even our Doctor did- but I'm hanging in for a little longer. See you soon. Dr. H said today he's thinking I'm about 7lbs so we'll see. Me and Mom are hanging out close to home for the weekend. I'll update when we see the Doctor on Monday. Have a good holiday.

Still ok in there?

Dr. H says you are. Noni took us for another NST at the hospital and another shot for you. He let us come home but with orders to see him again in 2 days! Doin good little girl- we are almost there. We changed your birthday but I'm not putting it on here because I don't want to jinx it!